THE BEST LAID PLANS OF MEN

"Paul, it should be noted, was aware that some of them were Sadducees and some Pharisees." —Acts 23:6

St. Paul's trial before the Sanhedrin was not going well. The high priest had already "ordered his attendants to strike Paul on the mouth" (Acts 23:2). Paul's audience was obviously not receptive. Then Paul had a great idea on how to get out of the mess he was in. He turned the Sadducees of the Sanhedrin against the Pharisees of the Sanhedrin. His trick seemed to work at first, as the Pharisees and the Sadducees started fighting each other (Acts 23:9). However, Paul's trick soon backfired, and he was almost torn to pieces in the ensuing riot (Acts 23:10). Paul subsequently was left in prison for two years (Acts 24:27), almost drowned in a shipwreck (Acts 27:14ff), and kept under house arrest in Rome for two more years (Acts 28:30).

The "morals of the story" are:

Human ingenuity can backfire on you.

You can lose four years by taking short cuts to save time.

The Lord is merciful and is willing to work all things together for the good of those who love Him (Rm 8:28).

Prayer: Father, I will crucify my flesh (Gal 5:24) and live by the Spirit.

Promise: "I do not pray for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that all may be one as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; I pray that they may be [one] in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." —Jn 17:20-21

Praise: St. Boniface wrote: "What we ourselves cannot bear let us bear with the help of Christ."

Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from June 1, 2014 through July 31, 2014.†Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 2, 2014.

The Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.